Means for polarizing a connector assembly

ABSTRACT

Removable key means for polarizing a multiple contact connector assembly for accommodating printed circuit boards whereof at least one key of flexural material has the longitudinal portion thereof discretely formed to resiliently fit within respective spaced apart polarizing channels in a manner that the key can be easily inserted thereinto and resiliently retained within substantially the channel width to provide desired polarization of the assembly. The key is also formed with provisions to provide facile removal thereof when a change of polarization is desired.

O United States Patent 1151 3,675,186 Jayne et al. July 4, 1972 541MEANS FOR POLARIZING A 3,015,797 l/l962 Mitchell m1. ..339/184 MCONNECTOR ASSEMBLY 3,160,459 12/1964 Greco etal ..339/l84 M 2,983,8965/1961 Gilbert ..339/l84 M [72] inv n M J yn North W Robert 2,853,6899/1958 Jackson etal. ..339/l84 M Pihlblad, Warren, both of Pa. PrimaryExaminer-Marvin A Champion 7 3] Asslgnce Sylvanla Electric Products IncAssistant ExaminerLawrenm-J. Smab [22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1971Attorney-Norman .l. OMalley et al.

[21] Appl. No.: 104,744 [57] ABSTRACT Related Application Data Removablekey means for polarizing a multiple contact con- [60] Continuatiomimpanf Sen 37961, May 18, nector assembly for accommodating printed circuitboards 1968 abandonedy which is a division of Ser. whereof at least onekey of flexural material has the longitu- 737,163, June 14, 1968, Pat.No. 3,566,340. dinal portion thereof discretely formed to resilientlyfit within respective spaced apart polarizing channels in a manner that52 us CL- 339 18 M the key can be easily inserted thereinto andresiliently retained 511 1111. C1 ..H0lr 13/64 within Substantially thechannel Width 10 Provide desired [58] Field of Search ..339/l76 ME, 176MP, 184 M, Polarization of the assembly The key is also formed with339/13 M provisions to provide facile removal thereof when a change ofpolarization is desired.

56 f l 1 Re erences Cited 7 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,118,716 l/l964 Breiller .f. ..339/I84 M Patented July 4, 19724 Sheets-Sheet 1 l|llllilv \llli INVENTORS. MAX L. JAYNE & ROBERT W.PIHLBLAD Patented July 4, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 4, 19723,675,186

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. AX L.JAYNE & R RT W. PIHLBLAD ATTORNEYPatented July 4, 1972 4 SheetsSheet a.

INVENTORS.

MAX L.JAYNE &

BY ROBERT W. PIHLBLAD QLA Q. Cn-JL ATTORNEY MEANS FOR POLARIZING ACONNECTOR ASSEMBLY CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 37,961, filed May18,1968 now abandoned, which was a divisional application of Ser. No.736,163, filed June 14, 1968, and now US. Pat. No. 3,566,340, which isassigned to the as signee of the present invention. Thiscontinuation-impart in-- part divisional application contains matterdisclosed but not claimed in two other applications Ser. No. 37,960, nowUS. Pat. No. 3,603,915 and Ser. No. 37,962, now Pat. No. 3,576,519,which applications are also divisional applications ofSer. No. 737,163.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to meansfor-polarizing a multiple contact electrical connector assembly and moreparticularly to a flexural key type polarizing means adapted forinsertion and resilient retention in a connector assembly formed toreceive printed circuit boards.

Since diversified printed circuitry can be adequately accommodated oncircuit boards of similar dimensions, it is important that the desiredboards to inserted into the proper connector assemblies. To achieveproper matching it is conventional to polarize the socket assembly withone or more wedge inserts or keys in a manner that only boards havingproperly oriented mating slots can be received therein. One conventionaltype of polarizing insert is formed to provide a friction orinterference fit when forcibly pressed into a closely dimensionedslotted opening. Such polarizing means require close dimensionaltolerances which results in high fabrication costs. In addition, thepress fit type of polarizer causes both insertion and removaldifficulties. A broken key resultant of the required insertion pressureprovokes further aggravation in that special tooling and added time arerequired to ready the socket for usage.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention toreduce the aforementioned difficulties and to provide improved means forpolarizing a connector assembly to accommodate the proper circuit boardstherein.

Another object is to provide polarizing means that can be readilyinserted, easily removed and inexpensively fabricated.

The foregoing objects are achieved in one aspect of the invention by theprovision of a polarizing key of flexural material that has alongitudinal portion formed to resiliently fit within the width ofspaced apart locating channels in the connector assembly. The flexuralcharacteristics and constructional form of the key facilitate easyinsertion and removal as may be required and provide for positiveresilient retention thereof within the keying slot to effect the desiredpolarization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially sectionedperspective view showing a portion of a connector assembly havingpolarizing means therein oriented to receive a portion of a compatiblyformed circuit board;

FIGS. 2 through 8 and 11 through 13 are perspective views of variousembodiments of the resilient polarizing key;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 1 showing theresilient retention of a polarizing key within the connector assembly;and

FIG. 10 illustrates a type of removal means formed to withdraw thepolarizing key from the connector assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For a better understanding ofthe present invention, together with other and further objects,advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the followingspecification and appended claims in connection with the aforedescribeddrawings.

\Vrth reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, which is a sectiontaken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 1, partially show a multiple contactconnector assembly 11 whereof the assembly block portion 12 is fonned toaccommodate a printed circuit board 13. The assembly block is usuallyfabricated of an insulative plastic material having internal shaping tocomprise a discrete board-receiving recess 15 which opens on the face 17of the assembly block. On either side of the recess are a plurality ofopen substantially vertically disposed channels 19 and 19 each havingdimensions substantially defined as a width 0, a depth b, and a lengthc. It is to be noted that the channel length c is not necessarilyrequired to equal the depth of the receiving channel 15. Whilesubstantially rectilinear channels are shown and described, othercross-sectional channel configurations, such as arcuate or ovoid, may beequally utilized in keeping with the concept of the invention. Thechannels are aligned as spaced apart pairs of facing channels 19 and 19'to provide a plurality of polarizing channel means 21 each having adefined span d. A plurality of aligned metallic electrical contactmembers 23 and 23' suitably positioned and affixed in the block portion,have resilient contact portions 25 and 25' located in suitable contactrecesses 27-27 that are oriented in the assembly in spaced relationshipto the adjacent polarizing channel means 21. Proper external circuitry,not shown, is connected to the exterior contact portions 26 protrudingfrom the assembly block.

The circuit board 13, which is only partially illustrated in FIG. 1, isformed of an insulative substrate 29 with exposed circuit connectiveareas 31 disposed relative to the leading edge 33 of the board. Theseconnective areas are aligned to mate with the respective resilientcontact portions 25 and 25' when the board is inserted into theconnector assembly. Included in the leading edge portion of the boardare one or more polarizing slots 35 which serve as means fordifferentiating the particular circuitry application for which the boardis intended. The proper connector assembly for accommodating theaforementioned circuit board has polarizing means 39 oriented therein tomate with the polarizing slots 35 formed in the board.

The polarizing means 39 is a body member formed as an insert key havingflexural characteristics to facilitate facile insertion into and removalfrom the proper polarizing channels 19 and 19' as shown in FIG. 1. Thekey is formed of a resilient material having the necessary flexuralcharacteristics, dimensional stability, and heat and abrasionresistances required for the usage. Suitable substances are found, forexample, in the thermoplastic class of resins, such as, for instance,nylon and polycarbonate materials, either with or without fillers, butother substances exhibiting the above-identified characteristics areequally applicable.

In certain of the embodiments disclosed herein, as for example thoseillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, it has been found that, in addition toplastic material, substantially flattened lightweight resilient metal isalso applicable especially in miniaturized applications where size andmaterial thickness are prime considerations.

Usually the keys are of a color differing from that of the connectorblock to facilitate rapid visual identification of the polarization. Ingreater detail, the polarizing insert key 39 is further delineated inFIGS. 2 and 2a. The key 39 in FIG. 2 has a longitudinal section 41 witha horizontal T-bar 43 formed at the top which exceeds the lateralbreadth of the key and is fashioned to stop against the face 17 of theconnector assembly when the key is fully inserted therein. The T-bar isadvantageous in that it affords a larger identification area on the faceof the connector assembly and provides means for gripping the top of thekey. In the various embodiments to be subsequently described, the T-bar43 may or may not be incorporated depending upon whether or not theabove noted features relating to stopping, identifying or gripping, aredesired. The outstanding contribution of this invention is mainlyconcerned with that portion of the key which is positioned within thepolarizing channels 19 and 19' of the assembly.

To clarify description of the polarizing key, one embodiment 39' thereofas shown in FIG. 2a will be utilized. This embodiment is substantiallythe same as that illustrated in FIG. 2 with the exception that the T-baris eliminated. The longitudinal section is formed of ends 45 and 46 andlongitudinal flexural side portions or members 47 and 48 intermediate ofwhich there is a defined elongated opening 51. The key has a basiclateral breadth e, a length f and an edge defined thickness g which arecompatible with the respective corresponding dimensions d, c, and a ofthe polarizing channel means 21 to permit. sliding acceptance of the keytherein.

At this point it is appropriate to mention that in referring to theseveral embodiments of the insert key to be subsequently described, thedesignated lateral breadth e and the edge defined thickness g dimensionsare in keeping with the span d and width a of the related polarizingchannel means 21 to facilitate a slidable acceptance of the differentkey embodiments therein. The expanded dimensions of flexural elements inthe several keys, to effect resilient retention, are identified by otherletter notations.

In the embodiment shown, in FIG. 2a, each of the side members 47 and 48of the key has at least one part thereof shaped as protrusions 53 and 55which form an expanded lateral breadth it that exceeds the basic lateralbreadth e. The protrusions and associated flexural side members arerelated to the aperture 51 in a manner to permit lateral flexure of theside members into the aperture to effect lateral retractive movement ofthe protrusions 53 and 55 when the key is inserted in a sliding mannerinto the polarizing channel means. The resilience of the retracted sidemembers exerts sufficient resilient retention force against the channelmeans in the region of the protrusions, to retain the key as positioned.

When it is desired that the connector assembly 11 be polarized in adifferent manner, the resiliently retained keys can be expeditiouslyremoved by utilizing a hook-type key removal means 57, as shown in FIG.10. The removal means comprises a hook-shaped metallic member 59fashioned to fit through the top portion 61 of the opening 51 andcooperate against the top member 45 whereby the key can be easilywithdrawn and reused in another polarizing requirement.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the key 63 has basic dimensionsof breadth, length, and thickness that substantially equal those of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2a. In this instance the longitudinalsection 64 has side flexural members 65 and 66 with a plurality ofprotrusions 67, 68, 69, and 70 thereon extending beyond the basiclateral breadth e. The flexural side members cooperating with theopening 71 provide resilient retention of the key in the polarizingchannel means.

Another related embodiment comprising the key 73 is illustrated in FIG.4 wherein the side members 75 and 76 have discrete protrusions 77 and 78thereon. The defined opening 79 is substantially diamond shaped with thelateral apices 81 and 81' thereof being oriented relative to thelaterally extending protrusions 77 and 78.

The embodiment of the key 83 shown in FIG. has a longitudinal section 85with discretely formed flexural side members 87 and 88 which protrude inan angular manner to efi'ect an expanded lateral breadth k which exceedsthe basic lateral breadth e. The protruding portions 87 and 88 areformed to cooperate with related compatible openings 89 and 90. Uponinsertion into the polarizing channel means 21, the angularly orientedside members 87 and 88 are retracted into the related openings 89 and 90to simultaneously exert resilient retention force against the channelmeans. Another opening 91 in the longitudinal section is discretelyformed to enhance the lateral resilient characteristics of the key andalso provide means for key withdrawal.

The aforedescribed embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 2a, 3, 4, and 5 allexert defined areas of resilience in the direction of lateral breadthwhereby resilient force or pressure is exerted against discrete areas ofsubstantially the bottom portions and 20' of the channels 19 and 19. Inthe embodiments to be described, such as those shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and8, resilient retention force or pressure is also effected, but in theseinstances it is exerted against the sides 93 and 94 of channels 19 and19.

The embodiment of the key 97 shown in FIG. 6 has a flexural longitudinalsection 99, a lateral breadth e and side members 101 and 102 whichdefine an opening 103 therebetween. The thickness of the material m isless than the width a of the channels 19 and 19'. A slight resilienttwist is provided to the longitudinal section to produce a torsionaleffect upon insertion of the key into the polarizing channel means 21.The side members have a prior-to-insertion twist that effects aresilient dimension n that exceeds the channel width a. As the key isinserted, the side member's substantially conform to the dimensions ofthe channel in a manner to substantially remove the twist. This effectsa torsional resilient retention of the key by exerting a resilient forcesubstantially against the sides of the channels.

In FIG. 7, a key 105 is shown whereof the flexural longitudinal section107 has a lateral breadth e and side members 109 and 110 which define anopening 111 therebetween. The thickness of the material p is less thanthe width a of the channels 19 and 19'. At least one of the flexuralside' members is discretely formed to have a longitudinal camber thereinto effect a resilient dimension r that exceeds the channel width a. Uponinserting the key into the polarizing channel means 21, the resilientpressure resultant from substantially straightening the camber formationof the longitudinal section 107 effects sufficient force across theindividual widths of the respective channels 19 and 19' to promote theresilient retention of the insert key therein and provide desiredpolarization of the connector assembly.

A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8 wherein the insert key 113 is formed to have a plurality of lateral corrugation formations 1 15fashioned to provide the flexural longitudinal section 117 with aneffective resilient dimension or thickness s which exceeds the channelwidth a. Between the side members 1 l9 and 120 is an opening 121. Whenthe flexural key is inserted into the polarizing means 21, the resilientcorrugations slidably fit within the channels 19 and 19 and effectresilient force across the width a of the respective channels andagainst the sides 93, 94, 93' and 94' thereof in a manner to promoteresilient retention of the insert key therein.

As mentioned previously, the insert key embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and8 lend themselves to fabrication from more than one type of material.Molded thermoplastics are adequately effective, but in ruggedized usageapplications and in miniaturized connector assemblies in particular,resilient metal such as V4 to 95 hard temper low carbon steel has beenfound to be advantageous.

In the several embodiments of the invention that are shown anddescribed, both of the respective side members are similarly formed, butsuch is not intended to be limiting. It is in keeping with the conceptof the invention that at least one of the flexural side members beformed to exert a sufiicient resilient force within the polarizingchannel means to effect retention of the key therein. The openings inthe longitudinal members promote the resilient movement of the flexuralside members and provides means for facile removal of the respectivepolarizing keys from the connector assembly.

Another embodiment of the polarizing means is shown in FIG. 1 1 whereinthe insert key 123 is configurated as an openend structure having anelongated opening 124 defined between flexural side members. As in theother aforementioned embodiments, the side members 125 and 126 areformed to exert resilient retention force against the channel means whenthe key is inserted thereinto.

There are occasions when it is desired to have polarin'ng insert keysthat eflect bowing or flexing pressures additional to that normallyprovided by the edge defined thickness of the material. In theseinstances an additional intermediate material thickness is providedbetween the channel defined edges.

As shown in FIG. 12 the insert key 127 resembles that shown in FIG. 2aexcept that the intermediate material thickness 1: is greater than theedge-defined thickness A related embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 13wherein the insert key 129 has an intennediate material thickness xwhich exceeds the edgedefined thickness 3. It will be noted that thedefined edge of the insert key 129 is formed to slidably mate withpolarizing channel means having a compatible cross-sectional shape.

It is within the concept of the invention that the severalaforedescribed embodiments of the insert key can also incorporate theincreased intermediate material thickness if the characteristicseffected thereby are desired. In any instance the increased materialthickness x or x should not be such as to extend into the adjacentlylocated contact recesses 27 and 27'.

The several foregoing embodiments provide a flexural polarizing insertkey that exhibits improved features not evidenced in the art. Theresilient key described in each specific embodiment is readily inserted,easily removed, and inexpensively fabricated.

While there have been shown and described what are at present consideredthe preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be madetherein without departing from the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

We claim:

1. Means for polarizing a multiple contact connector assembly foraccommodating printed circuit boards whereof the assembly block portionhas a discrete board-receiving recess formed therein to open on the facethereof, said recess having a plurality of open channels of fixed width,depth and length dimensions aligned as spaced apart pairs of facingchannels disposed on either side of the recess to provide a plurality ofpolarizing channel means each having a defined span and oriented inspaced relationship to contact members positioned in separate channelsadjacent thereto, said polarizing means comprising:

at least one body member formed as an insert key having flexuralcharacteristics to facilitate insertion into and removal thereof fromsaid polarizing channel means, said key being of resilient material of auniform thickness having a flexural longitudinal section dimensioned tohave a basic uniform lateral breadth and length and an effectiveresilient thickness dimension defined by at least one curve-likeformation extending laterally across said longitudinal section, saidpolarizing means being slidably ac- Y ceptable in said polarizingchannel means, said longitudinal section of said key being flexurallyformed to effect a resilient dimension exceeding said material thickness.and the widths of the respective polarizing channels to effectsuflicient resilient force acrox said fixed widths of, said polarizingchannel means to promote the resilient retention of said insert keytherein and provide polarization of said connector assembly.

2. Means for polarizing a multiple contact connector assembly accordingto claim I wherein said insert key has said flexural longitudinalportion discretely formed to have sutficient flexural longitudinalcamber therein to effect resilient force across the width of arespective polarizing channel to promote the resilient retention of saidinsert key therein and provide polarization of said connector assembly.

3. Means for polarin'ng a multiple contact connector assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein said insert key has said flexural longitudinalportion discretely shaped to have a plurality of lateral corrugationformations therein fashioned to effect a resilient force across thewidth of a respective polarizing channel and against the sides thereofin a manner to promote resilient retention of said insert key thereinand provide polarization of said connector assembly.

4. Means for polarin'ng a multiple contact connector assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein said insert key has an end member formed to exceedsaid lateral breadth of said key to provide a top T-bar thereonfashioned to stop against the face of said connector assembly when saidkey is inserted therein.

5. Polarizing means according to claim 1 wherein said lonof moldedthermoplastic material.

7. Means for polarizing a multiple contact connector assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein said insert key is formed of substantially flattenedresilient metal material.

' UNITED STATES PATENT @FFTCE QE'MIQATE oi Patent No. 3,675,186 DatedJuly 1972 Inventor) Max L. Jayne and Robert W. Pihlblad It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, Line 5, "May 18, 1968" should read May 18, 1970 Column 1, Line6, 736,163" should read 737,163

Column 1, Lines 8 and 9, "in-part" second instance should be deleted Onthe cover sheet [60] "May 18 1968" should read May 18, 1970 Signed andsealed this 6th day of March 1973'.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. Means for polarizing a multiple contact connector assembly foraccommodating printed circuit boards whereof the assembly block portionhas a discrete board-receiving recess formed therein to open on the facethereof, said recess having a plurality of open channels of fixed width,depth and length dimensions aligned as spaced apart pairs of facingchannels disposed on either side of the rEcess to provide a plurality ofpolarizing channel means each having a defined span and oriented inspaced relationship to contact members positioned in separate channelsadjacent thereto, said polarizing means comprising: at least one bodymember formed as an insert key having flexural characteristics tofacilitate insertion into and removal thereof from said polarizingchannel means, said key being of resilient material of a uniformthickness having a flexural longitudinal section dimensioned to have abasic uniform lateral breadth and length and an effective resilientthickness dimension defined by at least one curve-like formationextending laterally across said longitudinal section, said polarizingmeans being slidably acceptable in said polarizing channel means, saidlongitudinal section of said key being flexurally formed to effect aresilient dimension exceeding said material thickness and the widths ofthe respective polarizing channels to effect sufficient resilient forceacross said fixed widths of, said polarizing channel means to promotethe resilient retention of said insert key therein and providepolarization of said connector assembly.
 2. Means for polarizing amultiple contact connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein saidinsert key has said flexural longitudinal portion discretely formed tohave sufficient flexural longitudinal camber therein to effect resilientforce across the width of a respective polarizing channel to promote theresilient retention of said insert key therein and provide polarizationof said connector assembly.
 3. Means for polarizing a multiple contactconnector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said insert key has saidflexural longitudinal portion discretely shaped to have a plurality oflateral corrugation formations therein fashioned to effect a resilientforce across the width of a respective polarizing channel and againstthe sides thereof in a manner to promote resilient retention of saidinsert key therein and provide polarization of said connector assembly.4. Means for polarizing a multiple contact connector assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein said insert key has an end member formed to exceedsaid lateral breadth of said key to provide a top T-bar thereonfashioned to stop against the face of said connector assembly when saidkey is inserted therein.
 5. Polarizing means according to claim 1wherein said longitudinal section is fabricated to have at least oneaperture opening oriented substantially centrally therein to providemeans for expeditiously removing said insert key from said polarizingchannel means.
 6. Means for polarizing a multiple contact connectorassembly according to claim 1 wherein said insert key is formed ofmolded thermoplastic material.
 7. Means for polarizing a multiplecontact connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said insert keyis formed of substantially flattened resilient metal material.